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Abstract
This study investigated MAO-A inhibitory activity of methanol extract of Calluna vulgaris
(L.) Hull., which traditionally has been used as a nerve calming remedy.
A methanolic extract of Calluna vulgaris was partitioned against heptane, ethyl acetate
and water. The three fractions were tested in a photometric peroxidase linked MAO-A
bioassay. The ethyl acetate phase showed the highest MAO-A inhibitory activity. Quercetin
was isolated by VLC through bioassay-guided fractionation and purified by re-crystallisation.
The structure was elucidated by LC-MS and (1)H NMR.
The IC(50)-value for MAO-A inhibition by quercetin was 18+/-0.2 microM in an assay
where the IC(50)-value for MAO-A inhibition by clorgylin was 0.2+/-0.02 microM.
The content of quercetin in Calluna vulgaris might explain the reported nerve calming
effect of the plant.